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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> Air battles...

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Air battles... - 6/17/2005 12:04:03 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Tried to send a surface combat group into the Allied ships around Milne Bay today.
Ordered them to move in at flank speed (6/6) - plan was for a daytime engagement.

I've never managed to truly understand the movement rules for TF's. I thought a 6/6
movement indicator meant that the TF would travel 12 hexes during the day at flank speed!?

Unfortunately the TF moved only 3 hexes in order to stage its final move. (The target base
was 7 hexes away). This put it within range of 100 medium and torpedo bombers.
Fortunately damage was slight, but I have to figure out how to avoid this in the future - so if
anyone wants to explain the TF movement rules....feel free

I've ordered Tanaka back to Rabaul - again! It is now very risky to move south of Rabaul without
a heavy CAP.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/42

Air Combat

Lots and lots of air missions today...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 11
Hudson I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 62
Ki-48 Lily x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 25000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 25000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,92

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 51

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1
DD Yamagumo
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Juan Cabrillo, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK John Adams
AK Edwin Markham, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Arthur Middleton

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,92

Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CA Myoko

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Avenger I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Avenger I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,92

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 26

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 2
DD Shigure
CL Kuma
CL Yura, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 871

RE: Air battles... - 6/17/2005 12:56:07 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Tried to send a surface combat group into the Allied ships around Milne Bay today.
Ordered them to move in at flank speed (6/6) - plan was for a daytime engagement.

I've never managed to truly understand the movement rules for TF's. I thought a 6/6
movement indicator meant that the TF would travel 12 hexes during the day at flank speed!?

Unfortunately the TF moved only 3 hexes in order to stage its final move. (The target base
was 7 hexes away). This put it within range of 100 medium and torpedo bombers.
Fortunately damage was slight, but I have to figure out how to avoid this in the future - so if
anyone wants to explain the TF movement rules....feel free

I think it was timing it's movement for a nightime appearance at the target base hex. If you have the TF set to Patrol/Do Not Retire it should move to the target base hex regardless of day or night. That's the way a Bombardment mission works, I'm assuming the same will hold for a Surface Combat mission sent to an enemy base hex.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 872

RE: Air battles... - 6/17/2005 2:12:34 AM

tsimmonds

Posts: 5498
Joined: 2/6/2004
From: astride Mason and Dixon's Line
Status: offline

Another possibility is fuel. Your TF commander will check all his ships to see whether they have the endurance to make the whole run (to the objective and back to the assigned home base) at full speed. If he doesn't like what he sees he will slow down to refuel the DDs from the other ships in the TF. After that they won't have enough op points to make the move in one turn, and why they decide to end up in the hex they end up in, YGIAGAM. As IJ, I am constantly topping up my short-legged DDs, especially in the CVTFs; I now have a little bit more sympathy for Frank Jack Fletcher than I used to.

_____________________________

Fear the kitten!

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 873

RE: Air battles... - 6/17/2005 3:14:15 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Thx for the input guys... I guess it's always impossible to know how things are going to work out

I put Tanaka in command and the ships had ample fuel. Could have surprised an enemy TF but ok, we live
to fight another day.

I did a quick inventory check - 87 destroyers left in the arsenal. Of these 79 are fit for fight.
This means that I have to be careful with them. I can afford to get them damaged, but not sunk!
Otherwise I've not lost many major naval vessels, only 2 ca's and 2 cv's and a few cl's. So I got a lot of escorting
to do.-)

There are now close to 400 fighters in Rabaul and the Marshalls - more than enough to defend my turf. More important,
I've moved in enough long range escorts to be able to launch major naval strikes if necessary.

The rest of my fighters are now in China or Burma - most of them are 50-60 exp units and I want to raise them
into their 70s before unleashing them in the Pacific.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/42

Air Combat

The Allied bombers in China are mounting nuisance raids on every undefended city, base
and unit in the area...I can live with it. A lot better than 300 heavies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 10
Wellington III x 11

No Allied losses

Resources hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Majuro , at 83,83

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 48

Still no effect..

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
18 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88 - hehe the B-24s couldn't resist attacking my TF, too bad their morale was so low...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 52
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to tsimmonds)

Post #: 874

RE: Air battles... - 6/17/2005 12:22:29 PM

Lord_Calidor

Posts: 402
Joined: 3/25/2005
From: Rijeka, CRO
Status: offline

Do you have Player Defined Upgrades set? (not sure if it works on games started before v1.5)
Those OscarII's and remaining Nates could be upgraded to more useful planes. Maybe if you upgrade 1 Daitai to Ki-45 Nick, just to see how it goes? They should be useful in anti-fortress role.

_____________________________

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 875

RE: Air battles... - 6/17/2005 12:32:33 PM

pauk

Posts: 4162
Joined: 10/21/2001
From: Zagreb,Croatia
Status: offline

no it doesn't work. You have to start new game (under 1.5 of course) if you want PDU. Sure, it can look now like disvantage for Japan, but i don't want to think what will happend in 1944 when allies start upgrade all fighters to, hmmm, Corsairs

_____________________________

(in reply to Lord_Calidor)

Post #: 876

Xmas surprise... - 6/17/2005 5:15:55 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

After Davids first raid against Paramushiro I decided to prepare a surprise for him.
For 3 days a small carrier force has been lying in wait together with an ac equipped sub!
Just in time for Xmas David again arrived without an invitation

Two old PH battleships, the Arizona and Nevada together with a cruiser were hit by multiple
torpedoes and heavily damaged! I've added a map at the end of this report.

My small strike force was mostly carrying Kate torpedo bombers - true battleship killers.
The CVE carried 27 while the light carrier had another 12. 7 were lost and more damaged, but
I still hope to deliver the coupe de grace tomorrow. If I'm lucky I will have gained another 392 points
and taken a giant step towards the autovictory. Afraid I'm still going to miss 1-200 points though.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/42

Sub/ASW Attacks

It's pretty useless to intercept 'healthy' ships with subs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-20, hits 1

Allied Ships
SC SC-646
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 81,79

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5141, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
SS Triton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
Ki-21 Sally x 132
Ki-48 Lily x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 67

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Paramushiro Jima , at 82,34 - another strike at my extreme right flank..

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79 - my Tonys claimed 12 enemy heavies!

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 24

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 83
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
18 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83 - a strike against my new base at Hansa! (Btw - Hansa is a Norwegian beer:)

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 23
B-17E Fortress x 37
B-24D Liberator x 43

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
18 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,34 - bring your daughter to the slaughter....

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Ambush!

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to pauk)

Post #: 877

RE: Xmas surprise... - 6/17/2005 5:33:50 PM

soeren01

Posts: 393
Joined: 6/25/2004
From: Bayern
Status: offline

quote:

For 3 days a small carrier force has been lying in wait together with an ac equipped sub!

That is the way to fight the war now. Stay defensive and wait for openings.

_____________________________

soeren01, formerly known as Soeren
CoG FoF
PacWar WIR BoB BTR UV WITP WITE WITW

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 878

RE: Xmas surprise... - 6/17/2005 6:51:22 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Thx Soeren, I'll try to find a balance between offensive and defensive actions

We managed to sink the Detroit and put another torpedo into the Nevada today. Only the
Arizona remains. I managed to transfer another 9 Kates to the escort carrier to make up
for losses. Hopefully we can sweep the slate clean tomorrow.

David said that he didn't think carriers could operate in the far north during the winter...neither
did he think my Tonys could operate at 36k feet. He learned a lot yesterday he said

The carrier Saratoga has been spotted outside of Maloelap together with heavy enemy
surface units. PT boats are also present in large numbers. I'll let em play in my backyard
and lash back at them whenever I can. Feeling pretty secure in my island forts for now.

In Tokyo 3 of my 4 main fleet carrers have now finished their upgrade. Another one is slated
for 02/43. May wait for this before leaving the Home Islands. I'm a little worried about receiving
the Taiho. I'll get Zekes, Judys and Jills - and I can't replaced their losses

Will therefore provide
backup air groups that can replace them if they suffer heavy losses.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/42

Surface Combat

David played in my minefields today...

Firts a transport hit a sub laid mine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1061 encounters mine field at Gili Gili (56,94)

Allied Ships
AK George Ross, Mine hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A sweeper group entered Maloelap, but the Jarvis got lost and hit a number of
mines...which made it sink!

TF 1062 encounters mine field at Maloelap (82,81)

Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Long
DMS Zane
DMS Hopkins
DD Jarvis, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

A powerful bombardment group tried to neutralize Maloelap, but I got almost
9 forts here and casualties were slight!

Naval bombardment of Maloelap, at 82,81 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Quincy
BB Indiana
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A medium bomber force challenged my CAP over Maleolap today. I guess
David wants to close it down... The B-25s bombed at very low altitude and my
CAP and flak downed 12 mediums and 8 P-38s for very low losses

In all I lost 8 ac on the ground, not bad considering all the ordnance that rained
down on the atoll.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
Ki-21 Sally x 123
Ki-48 Lily x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 22
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 8 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 9 destroyed, 33 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
51 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 90,35 - a long range (4 hexes) strike took out the damaged Detroit...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 87,35 - a breach in the clouds revealed the stricken Nevada late in the afternoon...
She's not long for this world!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to soeren01)

Post #: 879

Arizona and Nevada sunk! - 6/18/2005 12:37:11 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Interesting turn! I dispatched 2 destroyers to intercept the damaged battleships.
They actually found more than they bargained for, 1 escort destroyer - the old Chew
and 2 damaged battleships.

In a close range engagement the agile Jap ships pumbed 25mm, 4.7 and 5in shells into
the Nevada. A single torpedo hit then finished her off. Several large shells splashed down
around the destroyers, but non hit!

Later in the day Kate torpedo bombers found the Arizona and sent her to the bottom with
a single torpedo.

In the afternoon the Jap destroyers engaged the Chew and in a long engagmenet from
between 9 and 20000 yards more than a dozen 4.7 and 5in shells hit the old ship. She was
left dead in the water... Both Jap destroyers got 0 sys damage and will steam victoriously
back to their home port!

David was not happy with what damage his bombardment group did against Maloelap.
I found the same last time I bombarded Tjilitjap - relatively low causalties even though there
were lots of engineers and troops in the base that were busy building fortifications.

I must admit that I don't know why some bombardments cause 5-6000 casualties while others
only cause a few hundreds

Here's a list of major warships that have been sunk so far:

Allies:

4 carriers
1 light carrier
13 battleships
1 battlecruiser
15 heavy cruisers
20 light cruisers (inc CLAA)
89 destroyer type ships
18 submarines

Japan:

2 carriers
2 heavy cruisers
6 light cruisers
53 destroyers
45 submarines

I looked at the destroyers I've lost and only halv of them were fleet destroyers.
The rest were smaller escort crafts worth only 4-6 points.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/42

Surface Combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 88,35

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate, Shell hits 1
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Arizona, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Chew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 89,35

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1
DD Asagao

Allied Ships
DD Chew, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on TF at 89,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Thomas Jefferson

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 880

A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 2:22:40 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

The Kaga finished her upgrades today, back up to 8 sys damage. All of her 8" guns
are now removed and she fields a 5in and 25mm AA suit. The Shokakus and Akagis
now got an AA value between 7-800. Not great, but better than before.

Only a few days left of 1942 so I'll keep my carriers in port and await further upgrades.
Both the seaplane tenders (CS) are in place in Osaka and will shortly begin their conversion
to light carriers. Does anyone know how long this process will take?

I still don't have many operational battleships: the Fuso is at sys damage 6 in Singapore
while the Ise is at sys damage 12 in Hong Kong. Most of the others have damage between
14 and 35. It will take a while to get through their upgrades and back into the line. The Musashi
will arrive in a few days though and provide me with a new bomb magnet....

All I have to do is to cruise around in the Inland Sea and long range US bombers will fly
all the way from San Francisco to hit her

My first Dinah III recon units are now operational. This exceptional aircraft has a max
range of 13 hexes and will be invaluable in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/26/42

Sub/ASW Attacks

I sent my sub after the poor Chew...boom! No more loose ends - the slate
is now clean - RTB

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 91,35

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
DD Chew, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Jaluit is now the only base in the Marshalls without a CAP...but it's also a
size 0 af - a sea plane base. So it isn't very interesting for David either!

Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
Ki-21 Sally x 130
Ki-48 Lily x 34

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 35

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Jaluit , at 81,84

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 46

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 881

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 2:28:12 AM

EUBanana

Posts: 4552
Joined: 9/30/2003
From: Little England
Status: offline

I've attempted to engineer daytime surface engagements, never managed it even once. Even set to do not retire, the chance of them happening is very slim indeed it would seem.

If there is some sort of knack to it I'd be interested in what it is as well!

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 882

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 2:47:48 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

I've attempted to engineer daytime surface engagements, never managed it even once. Even set to do not retire, the chance of them happening is very slim indeed it would seem.

If there is some sort of knack to it I'd be interested in what it is as well!

You take one big dose of luck and mix it with your 'feeling sense' - and voila!
I've managed to 'organize' quite a few daytime surface engagements, even against enemy carrier tfs.

Over the years I've come to trust my instincts: I simply shut out my thoughts and 'see' the hex, number or whatever
I'm trying to identify. You'd be surprise how many times this has brought success!-)

Hope it helps

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to EUBanana)

Post #: 883

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 2:47:50 AM

tsimmonds

Posts: 5498
Joined: 2/6/2004
From: astride Mason and Dixon's Line
Status: offline

quote:

Does anyone know how long this process will take?

180 days; can be accelerated just like the AK conversions.

_____________________________

Fear the kitten!

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Post #: 884

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 2:48:51 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: irrelevant

quote:

Does anyone know how long this process will take?

180 days; can be accelerated just like the AK conversions.

Thx! Guess I can afford to accelerate them after the Musashi is finished! That means
that I'll have them in 3 months - 1st of April 1943.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to tsimmonds)

Post #: 885

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 5:54:39 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Sent out a Daitai of Betties today - they were mostly escorted by Oscar IIs. This was an experiment to
see how well the new fighter stands up to Allied fighters. The results were not great! 10 Oscars were lost
and they only shot down 3-4 enemy fighters. Only crack pilots stand a chance in this ac - but they saw
the bombers through.

I guess I will produce a lot of them and send them into action with medicore pilots in order to provide
CAP for secondary bases and escorts for anti shipping strikes.

It is not worthwhile to challenge the large amount of Allied transports in the Solomons, but I do have
to send out the occasional raid and force David to provide both escorts and CAP for his ships.

Men and materiel are arriving at Truk in large quantities and the buildup will continue for a while.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/27/42

Surface Combat

Tanaka reduced the number of enemy PT boats today...a Mavis claimed yet another one.
Don't want a stack of them around!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Majuro at 83,83

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Yubari
DD Wakaba
DD Yayoi
DD Satsuki
DD Yuzuki
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
PT PT-118
PT PT-119
PT PT-120, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT PT-121, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-122
PT PT-123, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT PT-154
PT PT-156, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

A convoy escort dispatched of a Dutch sub!

ASW attack at 31,72

Japanese Ships
AP Tutukami Maru
AP Taibun Maru
PG Tamo Maru #7
MSW Tama Maru
MSW Banshu Maru #18
MSW Aoi Maru
MSW W.7

Allied Ships
SS O16, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
Ki-21 Sally x 133
Ki-48 Lily x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 58

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 24
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Empire Chivalry, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Thomas Jefferson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-646

Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
G4M1 Betty x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Starr King
AK William C. Claiborne, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lew Wallace
AK Edgar Allan Poe

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 886

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 3:04:19 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
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Troops have now unloaded in Rangoon and are preparing to march towards
Mandalay. I'm uncertain about how many men I need, but I'll send quite a few
tank regiments there as well. These are not particularily well suited for the
South Pacific.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/28/42

Sub/ASW Attacks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 56,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-20, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Drayton
DD Grayson
DD Cushing
DD Sims
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 78,79

Japanese Ships
MSW W.21
APD APD-46
APD APD-39
APD APD-36
APD APD-34
APD APD-2

Allied Ships
SS S-33, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Lots and lots of Allied air strikes against my most exposed bases...as usual.

Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
Ki-21 Sally x 127
Ki-48 Lily x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Construction Battalion, at 63,93

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 15
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-24D Liberator x 21

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 106th IJN Base Force, at 55,90

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
B-17E Fortress x 32
B-24D Liberator x 33

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
229 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
18 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
15 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 887

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 9:03:11 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/29/42

Lots and lots of air strikes against undefended bases again...nothing really
interesting. Only one more day left of 1942 and I'm going to post a few screenies and
present some figures.

The Combinded Fleet

6 fleet carriers (the Taiho will arrive in 25 days)
4 light carriers
4 escort carriers
12 battleships (7 operational - including the Musashi which will arrive tomorrow)
16 heavy cruisers (15 operational)
15 light cruisers (14 operational)
89 destroyers
15 subs

When the Taiho arrives I will incorporate her in the first Carrier Division

Carrier Division 1 Nagumo (ca 400 ac)

Taiho (Flagship)
Shokaku
Zuikaku
Kaga
Akagi

Carrier Division 2 (ca 260 ac)

Junyo (Flagship)
Hiyo (still damaged, 30 sys)
Ryuho
Zuiho
Shoho
Ryujo

Escort Division (ca 90 ac)
Unyo
Taiyo
Chuyo

ca 750 carrier ac

In addition I will receive 3 Amagi carriers and the two converted CS light carriers during the first 4 months of
1943. These will for Carrier Division 3 and field ca 260 ac.

The plan is to have 2 fast battleships in Car Div 1 & 2 (The Kongos)
My remaining battleships will then be divided into one surface combat group and one bombardment group.

Battlegroup 1

Yamato
Musashi
Nagato
Mutsu

Bombardment group 1

Yamashiro
Fuso
Ise
Hyuga

In addition to this I will try to form 2 heavy cruisers groups - my elite surface combat groups led by Tanaka.
Hopefully I will still have enough ships to form 2 destroyer groups.

Situation Map: Solomons and New Guinea

As this map shows it is becoming increasingly difficult to supply bases that are within range
of numerous enemy bases. I'm uncertain about what to do with this situation. Within 6-8 months Rabaul
may be isolated. A protracted war up along the coast of New Guinea is perhaps what I want with my large
and experienced Army?

Truk will be my next line of defense and by the time it can be bypassed the Marianas and surrounding islands will
be able to withstand even large scale enemy invasions.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 888

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 9:12:44 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Situation Map: Marshalls and Gilberts - end 1942

The situation in the Marshalls is a little simpler! I will throw the enemy back into the Gilberts and resist him
throughout 1943. The Marshalls will provide a staging point for further invasions into t he Marianas and can not be allowed.
At least not before the enemy has bypassed or occupied Rabaul and Truk and has reached Wewak and Hollandia.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 889

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 9:18:55 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Situation Map: Burma and China - end 1942

The situation in China and Burma is even simpler! I will occupy the rest of Burma and
box China in. The remaining bases will then be bombed into the stoneage and left to starve.

I've already mentioned that I will not attempt to occupy all of China. It should however become
possible to extract divsions to the defence of the South and Central Pacific during 43-45!

Another point: I still miss 800 points to win an autovictory as the year comes to an end.
I don't epxect that it will be possible to achieve this now, but it is still possible to achieve a 3-1
odds by 01/44.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 890

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 10:18:30 PM

pauk

Posts: 4162
Joined: 10/21/2001
From: Zagreb,Croatia
Status: offline

greetings...

just a thoughts (i could be wrong, of course).

1. for Taiho ac groups. I think you should get Zero's Kate's and Vals instead Zekes, Judys and Jills (those groups with not yet available ac will downgrade).
I would like if some can confirm this or correct me

2. Bombardment - results. I remember old post from UV forum - it says "Use the ricon, Luke, lots of recon"

. And it is certainly good advice for WiTP.

I'm pretty sure that results of bombardments are much better if attacked base is reconed for several days (better- several weeks).

Keep the good work! We all watching you

< Message edited by pauk -- 6/18/2005 10:20:55 PM >

_____________________________

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Post #: 891

RE: A clean slate... - 6/18/2005 11:08:28 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

I hope you're right Pauk - advanced air groups without replacements would be nothing more than a hassle!
At least I'll get a carrier with lots of AA guns, radar and an armoured flight deck.

It's possible that you're right regarding bombardments as well. Had a discussion with David concerning this topic.
He meant that his battleships did less damage than mine, but I know that's not true. I achieved great results in Batavia
and Colombo but not in Tjilitjap.

Will experiment with this and try to figure out the exacts. There are so many undocumented features in this game that
we have to work hard to establish the facts

Anyway, thx for reading and providing advice - appreciate it!!

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to pauk)

Post #: 892

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 3:06:27 AM

cookie monster

Posts: 1693
Joined: 5/22/2005
From: Birmingham,England
Status: offline

Love the screenies. Makes it an enjoyable read.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 893

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 4:11:20 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Thanx Cookie, I always try to add a few screenies when I got something interesting to illustrate!

I got a question that some of you may be able to answer: When I get the next turn from David I will
order two of my CS to be converted to cvls. They both got ac aboard - so it is probably a good idea
to transfer the ashore first in order to...save them

This wouldn't affect the conversion process, would it? Would be typical to receive cvls without ac or
something like that!-)

David is busy in the yard today, so I have to wait until tomorrow for New Years Eve 43!

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to cookie monster)

Post #: 894

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 5:37:46 PM

toraq

Posts: 405
Joined: 10/24/2004
Status: offline

PzB,

Spanish HQ

have been analysing your next step and these are some operations that could help you to decide.

Base mission: japanese power is still overwhelming. You can get total air or naval superiority in every place that you want. But always within range of a big land base.

Objective: destroy as many troops/surface forces as possible to delay any allied offensive.

Operations:

Invasion of Guadalcanal:
You still can do it. It�s more important than PM, because if you invade it you could isolate enemy bases at Russel island, Vella Lavella and Munda. Many enemy troops will be destroyed and if David should attack with surface forces, to defend such and important base, you could destroy them entirely.
With Guadalcanal occupied, Australia will be temporaly isolated, the occupation of the South Pacific delayed, as well as other fronts, due to the importance of Guadalcanal, that should be reoccupied by David to continue the South Pacific invasion. Guadalcanal HAS a strategic value.

The objective is not to keep strong forces there once occupied, the objective is to destroy allied ground forces and naval forces committed there.

The plan: send AP supply convoy to Short, unescorted. Let David sink one or two from Munda, Vella Lavella bases. This would justify an increase in your air activity over Munda, Vella Lavella and Russel that will have to be attacked by massive raids. Once you get local superiority, send APs to Short. David will think of a new supply convoy but suddenly you will face Lunga, with your CVs and surface forces to provide strong AA values.
You could use 2 carrier divisions, 6 BBs, great numbers of DDs and MLs. Air supperiority is a must, so you�d need the combined fleet. 2 divisions needed, only one to stay as garrison

Invasion of the Marshall island occupied by David:
Yes this is a very clear movement. We all agree that it should be easy, because it is a foward base difficult to defend from other bases. In our HQ, we estimate that you could use this operation as a deceive movement before a Guadalcanal invasion, but it could be carried out alone
However it is a small operation, expect no big reaction from David and the piece of land you invade has almost no strategy significance.
You could use 4 BBs, 1 carrier division with 300 ac and one division and a half.

Reinforcement of South Pacific area
If you want to avoid Rabaul�s isolation, you have to keep Lae, Finschaffen, Shorland and Buka. I sujest you to send strong reinforcements to Lae and Shortland. You can supply these bases with FT mission. Shortland is within range of Rabaul. And if you use Kavieng to send FT missions to Finsch. Lae should receive supplies.
Why reinforce these bases?. Rabaul can�t be isolated without taking those bases, so David will have to invade it and get local supperiority. This will take him TIME. However if you leave Lae and Shortland undefended, David could invade them and as soon as they are in allied hands, Rabaul will be within range of 4 or 5 major allied bases (lae, PM, Short, Buka). If short is invaded, Buka will fall soon, leaving Rabaul�s within F4Us range. The end of Rabaul. Then he could just isolate the base and jump to another one (Truk) as rabaul couldn�t be supplied.

Spanish HQ

believe that you should take advange of your superior forces and carry on with the three operations, before the F4U arrives in great numbers and before the new allied CVs appear. If you succesfully invade the Marshall island and Guadalcanal, and then start a defensive battle with some strategic withdraws, David won�t threaten any important jap. base (truk, rabaul, marianas) until late summer 44.

Just some ideas to help you

I have fun with your AAR. You�re a superb commander but if I have to be honest, you�re also a lucky man.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 895

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 7:58:46 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Appreciate your praise and suggestions Toraq! Would be nice if the Spanish HQ could
send the Blue Division from the Leningrad front and to the Marshalls?

All of your advice are sound - but I'm afraid I will overextend my capabilities if
I try to undertake all of the missions (Invade in the Marshalls, Solomons and reinforce/invade
southern Guinea). My ships still need another month for upgrades and R&R, but by early
February 43 they will be ready together with large a large contingent of elite troops. The plan is
then to:

1. Carry out the operation in the Marshalls
2. I also agree with you that Lae has to be reinforced.
3. Shortland still got a sizeable garrison but I will also try to reinforce it and bring in much
needed supplies.

Buna is my most exposed based and it may fall to an enemy invasion. If possible I will
try to reinforce this base as quickly as possible.

All of these steps can be carried out simultanously and shouldn't take more than a month.
A counteroffensive against Guadalcanal would be highly risky, but I have considered it.
For now I will order several ground units to prepare for PM, GG, Lunga,
Tarawa etc. This intel should make David a little paranoid

But you're right - my arsenal still carries a mighty punch that still hasn't been
blunted. It IS important to keep the enemy weak by inflicting a steady stream
of losses. This piecemeal reduction of the enemys might is probably the only way
to break him. It worked in UV..maybe it will work in WitP as well

I've moved extra ac onto my fleet carriers today - so now they hold closer to
80 ac each. The Musashi has arrived, it got an AA rating of 700+ and radar.

Otherwise I'm moving small Betty units to most of my size 4 airfields. My plan
is to send out many smaller strikes. These are less vulnerable to enemy CAP and
will force David to provide CAP over most of his TFs and bases.

Another 2 base forces have also been moved to Rabaul. This is an important base
and I want to have a spare capacity here. My 2 Para regiments are also only a few
days away from Truk. I have to figure out how I can use this force in the best possible
manner. My long range Tina and Mavis transports provide them with a great potential.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/30/42

Surface Combat

David is clearing mines from Gili Gili - I used 5 subs to lay mines her.
Playing a delaying game here now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1022 encounters mine field at Gili Gili (56,94)

Allied Ships
DMS Perry
DMS Dorsey
DMS Trevor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 61,84

Japanese Ships
PG Kure Maru #5
PG Tamo Maru #6
PG Takunan Maru #8
DD Wakatake
DD Uzuki
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Trigger, hits 1, on fire
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Again loads of not so interesting air missions...from both sides!
I'm moving my 200 rested Sallys bombers to China. Soon all the remaining
Chinese bases will be reduced to rubble. Let's see how much supplies David
got in his now largly isolated bases

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 132
Ki-48 Lily x 35

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 59

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Brigade, at 28,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 63

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
30 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to toraq)

Post #: 896

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 9:12:15 PM

toraq

Posts: 405
Joined: 10/24/2004
Status: offline

Spanish HQ insist in the Guadalcanal operation, that should be carried on soon. You should isolate many allied bases and get, for a few months, a good position to attack/stop allied supply convoys to Australia.
Marshall operation could be carried on anytime during 43, no matter the F4U appearance, as there is only one allied base there.

But, yes you�re write, Guadalcanal operation is a risky one

and thus I can understand your point of view. But remember your 10 CVs or so will be a powerful assest only during 43. Use them even if you lose some of them. Once David receives his (year) 44 CVs, they will be a piece of cake for his F4Us and Helldivers.

Good luck!
Which is the operation name for the invasion of the Marshalls??

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 897

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 9:26:05 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

I will post a more detailed overview of the Allied bases in the Solomons tomorrow together with
the forces that will be available for offensive operation in the first months of 43. My new Dinah III recon
ac will provide more info about enemy strength in key bases.

I'm afraid Woodlark, Goodenough and the other Allied bases around Southern New Guinea will be a bothersome thorn
in my side. They alone can threaten Rabaul with isolation. So a less ambitious operation would involve the recapture of these
islands + the reinforcement of Shortland and recapture of e.g. Munda.

Enemy subs also pose a serious threat now and moving my capital ships into the shallows may be costly.
But an offensive has to happen within 3 months - before the enemy gets to strong!

The offensive in the Marshall will be called: Operation Recoil

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to toraq)

Post #: 898

RE: A clean slate... - 6/19/2005 10:59:54 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Otherwise I'm moving small Betty units to most of my size 4 airfields. My plan
is to send out many smaller strikes. These are less vulnerable to enemy CAP and
will force David to provide CAP over most of his TFs and bases.

This is a great idea. I'm only playing against AI (Allies vs. IJ AI), but I can't tell you how many 2 to 5 plane Betty raids against strong CAP leak through ONE bomber that sticks a torp home. From the reading I've done, a small raid getting through one or two to at least get off a shot is pretty realistic. Maybe the CAP response triggered is less, maybe the small raid is more likely to evade radar longer.

I've got to admit that I like the Guadalcanal operation from a strategic perspective. I'm a little skeptical about feinting to build up air. I would advise getting ready behind the scenes, and then (from the Allies point of view) just showing up with all the actors basically at the same time (air, sea, land). Give him no time to react.

On the defensive side, Rabaul will die. It's only a matter of time. The only way you can hold bases is to keep control of all bases within medium and small bomber range (and have them be mutually supporting and have carrier reaction forces, etc. as you've said, I'm just commenting on the bases part here). As the Allies get longer range fghters, the heavies will count more too (without fighter escort you can probably beat the crap out of them now, especially with the air model issue recently identified). Shortland has a nice harbor, but heavies can operate from Lunga, Munda, Torokina, Buin, Green Island. Buka and Green Island are both within SBD range of Rabaul. Vella Lavella and Shortland are both within meadium range of Rabaul (as is Buka, or course). Once he gets a foothold, his weight will push you all the way out of Rabaul (or bypass it).

Unfortunately, a similar situation exists starting from Port Moresby, but I think it's a little more difficult for the Allies coming up that side than through the Solomons. Ultimately, both Allied offensives support each other. If you want to get really aggresive, you could take Lunga, etc. and PM!

That would set him a more difficult task. It would also provide you with much more time to fall back and attrite his forces. Given the superiority you've built up, you might be able to do it. I think you can. Be a helluva hoot to watch the AAR!

Thinking way ahead, after you've succeeded and he's worried about Luganville and Noumea, you smash the Gilberts!

Enough rambling. Just food for thought. Good hunting with Operation Recoil.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 899

RE: A clean slate... - 6/20/2005 1:10:14 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

You're right Witpqs! My tests with small formations have been encouraging. As the war progresses it will become
increasingly important for Japan to utilize her air assets in the best possible way. Sending in huge waves of planes
will only see them slaughtered by the next generation of US fighters.

I've already developed dozens of size 4 af bases, so preparations are already well under way! Construction units are at
the same time building powerful fortifications that will make it possible to defend them with relatively small garrisons.

Don't think I'll faint a buildup - as more and more units become available I will simply stack them up in Truk and
other safe bases and then rotate them into the frontlines.

Rabaul is a difficult one...I'll be hard pressed to hold David back both in the Solomons and on New Guinea.
It all depends on the type of casualties I suffer in my initial moves. My hope is that the US got relatively few large
infantry units after the debacle in Java. If this is true it may be possible to take advantage of this weakness during the
next 3-4 months.

It's important to retain a powerful fleet in being as this will force David to be more careful. If he makes a mistake
I'd like to be there to punish him time and again.

Thx for the input, I'll try to keep this AAR interesting for another year - or three

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 900

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